Pesticide Use Knowledge, Attitude, Practices and Practices Associated Factors Among Floriculture Workers in Bahirdar City, North West, Ethiopia, 2020

Abstract

Pesticides are substances that are used to kill, decrease, or repel pests and are used extensively to boost agricultural production. Ethiopian floriculture is one of the pesticide-intensive agricultural production centers and it provides jobs for 1000s of Ethiopians. Despite its significant contribution to the national economy, many issues are raised by the workers. The study aimed to assess the knowledge, attitudes, practices, and factors associated with the practices of workers against pesticide exposure among floriculture workers in Bahirdar city. A cross-sectional occupational study was done. The participants were recruited using a stratified sample technique. The final study participants were chosen using a simple random sampling procedure. The survey received 300 responses, 95.2% response rate from the entire sample size. The mean age of floriculture workers was 20 (SD ± 3.21) years, with a range of 17 to 48 years. The majority of workers (228) were females, and 36 (12.0%) of workers were illiterate. About 259 (86.3%) of floriculture workers did not know the name of the pesticide they were using. More than three-fourth 256 (85.3%) of respondents know at least one type of pesticide-related health problem. In this study, the most known type of pesticide routes of entry into the body were eyes (72.3%), skin (67.3%) followed by ingestion (67.0%). About 100 (33.3%) of the participants had good overall knowledge related to pesticide use and 134 (44.7%) of workers had a positive attitude on safe pesticide application. The level of good practice was 61.3% (N = 184). Knowing the impact of pesticide on environment (AOR, 0.54; 95% CI, 0.30-0.96), Knowing pesticide health problems, (AOR, 0.36; 95% CI, 0.20-0.63), willingness to wear and invest for PPE (AOR, 0.53; 95% CI, 0.28-0.98) and PPE supply (AOR, 0.29; 95% CI, 0.16-0.51) were significantly associated with workers pesticide handling practices. Workers who didn’t know pesticide health problems were 36% less likely to have a good practice. The likelihood of having good practices among works who disagree to wear and invest on PPE 53% lower than those who agree on it. The likelihood of having good practices among workers who didn’t have any PPE supply was lower than their counterparts with (AOR, 0.29; 95% CI, 0.16-0.51). Floriculture workers had poor handling practices therefore continuous pesticide training programs for workers could be implemented.

Occupational and environmental pesticide exposure and associated health risks among pesticide applicators and non-applicator residents in rural Ethiopia

“…The overall knowledge about pesticide hazards was significantly higher among applicators than residents which may be attributed to the fact that applicators more regularly deal with pesticides and have a higher opportunity to get training from different sources than residents. Our study revealed a higher level of knowledge than a previous study by Mequanint et al ( 47 ), Mergia et al ( 48 ), and Endalew et al ( 49 ) but led to similar findings as investigations done in Ethiopia by Mengistie et al ( 50 ) and Gesesew et al ( 42 ), and in Tanzania by Lekei et al ( 43 ). However, having good knowledge of pesticide hazards doesn't necessarily translate into best practices of pesticide handling and preventive measures.…”

Flower production prospects and sustainability challenges in Ethiopia: A systematic review

“…Because of this, the workers at flower farms were unaware of the risks connected to the chemicals used. In line with this, Endalew et al (2022) findings also showed only 33.3% of the participants in the survey had a good understanding of pesticide use. The report also added that workers' pesticide handling practices were substantially correlated with their knowledge of the environmental effects of pesticides, their awareness of the health risks connected with pesticides, and their willingness to wear PPE and invest in PPE supplies.…”

“…Workers with elevated levels of serum cholinesterase were also found. Similarly, Endalew et al (2022) findings also showed the most common pesticide entry routes into the body were the eyes (72.3%), skin (67.3%), and ingestion (67.0%). Wittstock and Quinto (2008) also reported the most common symptom experienced by farmers were eye irritation, itching of the skin, red rashes, dizziness, nausea, numbness of extremities and respiratory problems.…”

Pesticide use safety practices and associated factors among farmers in Fogera district wetland areas, south Gondar zone, Northwest Ethiopia

“…This disparity could be attributed to the time lapse between studies and the various study subjects included in the studies. However, this study had fewer participants than those conducted in Bahirdar and Gondar, Ethiopia (61.3%) and 63.8%), respectively [ 24 , 25 ]. This disparity could be attributed to study subject differences, organizational access to safety equipment, and having good access to training since the studies were conducted on flower farm workers.…”